11 Things with Leigh Jones

Diana Gameros is an alternative Latin singer/songwriter originally from Mexico and now based in Berkeley, CA. A captivating live performer and impressive guitarist, Diana is working on her debut full length album, "I Begin," due out later this year. Listen in as she talks about her influences from Feist to Philip Glass, the role that geography plays in her songwriting, and her dream of playing atop the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan. www.dianagameros.com

Emma Koenig is an actor, writer, and singer currently living in Los Angeles. This Jill of many trades turned her post-grad anxieties and other insightful meanderings into success in the blogosphere and eventually on the page with "Fuck! I'm in My Twenties." Here, Emma discusses her love of verbose lyrics, getting specific with her goals while remaining open to pursuing all facets of the arts, and plotting out fantasy scenarios with paper dolls as a child. www.fuckiminmy20s.tumblr.com

I have known Sarah Kinlaw and Bryan Keller since middle school. Sarah and Bryan have known each other since kindergarten. Their ambient art-rock collaboration, SoftSpot, seems to have been born naturally out of two decades of friendship. Here, the Brooklyn-based musicians discuss growing up in North Carolina and coveting punk music as teens, the importance of devoting time to one's creative process, and their (surprisingly hashed-out) dream of performing in outer space. Also, delicious artisan doughnuts are consumed (Dun-well, be my sponsor?!) www.softspot.bandcamp.com

Melissa Lusk is a Brooklyn-based musician and frontwoman of indie pop/rock band, Boy Girl Party. Listen in as Melissa talks about church and feelings of guilt over the exploit of becoming a professional musician, and lets out a couple of very ladylike burps (I do too!). www.boygirlparty.bandcamp.com

Larry Heinemann is a NYC-area bassist, composer, and engineer (and co-producer of my 2012 album "Worth Wild"!). He has been involved with Blue Man Group on and off since its inception in the late 80s, and was also a member of the early 90s alternative rock trio, Springhouse. Here, Larry discusses why he loves catching a band during their transitional phase, performing at the Grammys, and navigating personal tragedy as an 11-year-old. www.larryheinemann.com

Drew Citron is an amazing singer and songwriter, and a member of NYC bands AVAN LAVA and Beverly. Here, Drew discusses getting over the anxiety of sharing her feelings with an audience, her current foray into punk rock, and what heaven might be like. www.avanlava.com facebook.com/wearebeverly

Matt Berger is the band leader of NYC indie punk rock outfit Teen Girl Scientist Monthly, and, most importantly, the composer of the "11 Things" thingle (ie. theme song/jingle)! Listen in as Matt discusses the difference between writing for his band and writing for the theater, what it's like working creatively with one's romantic partner, and his concept of "Everyday Magic." Also, we briefly touch on our mutual love for the D (of the Tenacious variety). www.teengirlscimo.com

Shaina Taub can't be tied down to one genre. A good song is a good song is a good song, she maintains, as she slips gracefully in and out of musical theatre, pop, and soul. Here, Shaina insightfully and intelligently discusses the importance of artistic process, being influenced by her peers, and her dream of one day having her own Ben & Jerry's flavor. www.shainataub.com

Clinton Curtis is a NYC-based musician who specializes in getting people out of their seats and onto the dance floor. A trafficker in mostly rock & roll and rhythm & blues, Clinton discusses growing up surrounded by music in Key West, Florida, and serenades us with a gorgeous rendition of Richie Havens' "Follow." www.clintoncurtis.com

The inaugural episode of "11 Things w/ Leigh Jones"!!! One of NYC's most highly sought after drummer/percussionists, Hiroyuki Matsuura (Matsu) discusses his upbringing in Japan, making it as a freelance musician in NYC over the past 10 years, and his inability to gain weight. The interview culminates in an epic drum solo! www.matsusound.com